Hello, everyone!

I frequently receive e-mails from site visitors who are interested in helping the site out somehow, but they either don't have very much free time or don't fit any of the requirements listed on the "Jobs" page. Well, if anyone's interested, there is a very quick and easy way to help out the site quite a bit!

More than 20% of our daily visitors come from Google, which is 10 times as much as any other search engine (MSN, Yahoo, AskJeeves, etc.), so when focusing on improving search engine rankings, we focus almost completely on Google. There are a number of factors involved in a site's ranking on Google, including (but not limited to) popularity, longevity, PageRank, and the number of people who search for something who click on a particular site.

So, if you want to help out Veritaserum a bit, a really easy way to do it would simply be to log on to Google daily, search for "Harry Potter," go to the second page of results, and click on Veritaserum. The more people who do this, the higher our ranking should go! Here are some quick links for those searches:

Firefox: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Harry...G=Google+Search
Internet Explorer: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Harry+Potter

Right now we're on the second page, but hopefully that'll rise soon!

And also, as PageRank is another important factor in Google rankings, if you have the Google Toolbar, it'd be helpful if you clicked on the happy smiley face when on VTM, which helps to raise the site's PankRank.

What a superb idea. Consider it done! The link is in my Favourites already and from now on I'll remember to click on it at least once a day.

I'm glad that I'm able to do something to help VTM. I'm still looking for that JS programmer for the Ingenious Muddy Footprints, though . . . <sniff>

Matthew, as SPIMF has shown, I think we can raise a veritable army VTMers to get the page rank up for VTM. We just need a little organization. I've already added a link to your post here in my signature, but we'll need a bit more publicity so this place will get a bit more traffic.

This is an important undertaking for many reasons, not least of which is that TSTWNBN is currently the third site that comes up, whereas VTM is currently the seventh site on the second page! We can at least get to the first page, I think.

So we'll need to create an organization or a club with a catchy name. Not sure what it will be, but I know someone who will be great for something like this. I'll be right back...

*runs off to fetch razz*

It's not a big deal to click on it daily, so if we gather some VTM members who are willing to help out I'm sure we'll get veritaserum closer to the first page everyday. Everyone reading this: go and search for VTM by google!
I'll add the link to Matthew's post in my signature as well, it's a start.

Hey!
Everyone is right..its not hard at all..I will do it every day..even though VTM is set as my home page lol. But I know what Mathew is talking about on the Google Toolbar because I have it..and we are up to 6/10 on Google's Page Rank! Thats good! If we keep going we can do much better! I also like AlbusWan's idea for a sort of club.
Courtney

i didnt realize it was an issue, what exactly needs to be done to get page rank up, I come on here everyday for extended periods at a time, should I log out more and sign back in, or totally click off the site every once in awhile and log back in... let me know, PM me

Matt! Always full of ideas!

I agree with Sam and Marieke. An organization would be ideal for this sort of thing. One click a day will keep the ... er ... doctor away. It need's a bit of work, I know. Ah Sam, I couldn't think of anyone better to aid in this other than Razz.

Take the 'I think' part out of there mate. We will get it to the first page!

Albus Dumbledore, Matthew has clearly explained how to get this rolling in the first post on this thread. The PageRank function is not for the forums in itself. It's for the main site. {Veritaserum} You will not have to log out and in again. All you have to do is Google the keyword 'Harry Potter' and search upon the second page of results. (The seventh link as Sam stated). Click on that and you will have contributed your share for the day.

I have just been searching to get on the the main page the last day or so and desicovered we are still on the third page! If you search Harry Potter Forums, this forum is on the third page.
I completely agree with you and I am going to help and be a part!

Great News! Our efforts have not been in vain--We have already moved up to the third result on the second page! Of course, we're still only on the second page, but I really didn't think we were even going to move just one space in the first week, and we've already moved four! Thanks for everyone's initial efforts. We'll need everyone's continued effort in order to really move this thing along.

A name is currently in the works, so stay tuned. Also, anyone that feels so obliged may add a link to this thread in their signature in order to raise awareness across the VTM membership.

By the way, my guess is that Google reorders the search results only once daily, so don't get discouraged if it seems like your efforts are not producing results. Every click counts!

EDIT: Looks like I was a little premature on my congratulations. I'm not sure why, but VTM is showing up as number 7 on the second page again. Not sure what happened . I didn't start counting until I had already made it through several rounds, but I just went through the process 48 times. We will prevail!

Aw... Well I'm flattered you guys have so much faith in me. I was clueless about how the whole search engine thingy worked, although I did Google Harry Potter the very first time I wanted to look up the release date of GoF. Admittedly I did find VTM in the 2nd or 3rd page, but I clicked on it and the rest is history. Loved the place!

I got your PM Sam and it sounds like a fantastic idea! The club name you suggested - I.N.V.A.I.D. (the Institue for Nabbing Veritaserum the Attention It Deserves) is inspired! I've linked it for the time being in my sig to here, so if everyone is in agreement then we can get the ball rolling BIG TIME! I'll wait until a decision is agreed upon.

Hip hip hooray! Two days of fervent clicking and VTM has moved up two results on the American version of Google, so now we're at #15! I didn't really expect to see any changes for at least a week, but this is great! Two spaces in two days...let's keep it up!

Although, as some of you have mentioned, results differ in some countries, but I think we should show up as #15 for most of America, at least. Thanks, guys!

Congratulations to all who've been helping with our little to-be society. Matt, it's amazing how quick it goes eh?

I was just noticing the same thing. It seems that the informaiton is global every way eh?

If in only a few days, we can move up two spaces, then just imagine how much we'd be able to ascend in the next couple of weeks!

Keep it up everyone!

I've had a few clicks on the UK version, but it took me ages to find us in the firsty place! I'm going to switch my Google to .com so that i can help you American folk!

Anyhow Razz, are you going to set up a thread for the new club??? If so count me in as a member!

Nick

Wow, this is a really great idea. Raising populaity for the site can do loads of positive things. I can even see it helping SPIMF. Think about it, the site gets more popular, more people visit it, and in that population of people, there could be programmers that are interested in helping the site out. You know, restore it to the wonderful glitch free way it was (Muddy foot prints included)

I dont know anything about programing, or site building, etc. etc. so I always felt bad that I couldnt really help VTM out. But now, I can (in a small way ) haha.

this is a really great idea!

Alec

quick question though, will it help at all clicking on the link multiple times in one day? or is this just a once a day thing?

I'm going to quote what Matthew has said aside.



So there you go.

Just did my first click. It's on the third page of results for me. How silly.

I'll get on Google and do it when I remember, as much as possible

*col*

Excellent *col*! That's exactly the support we need. You too Alec, mate. Great to have you on board with this. We are making a difference. VTM has gone from no 2 on page three on my browser to the first one on page three. YIPEE!!! It'll be bumped to page two soon if we can get some more people involved.



Get clicking for VTM

Oh, and feel free to post here to let us know you're doing it.

Whoahoho!! VTM is now at no. 5 on page three in my browser, Razz! We have moved two spots!! I'm gonna add this in my signature in a bit! Getting really excited when I saw that there is a result out of all the clicking!!

Keep it up everyone! Keep on clicking!!

Hmm, this is odd. Everytime I see us, we're on page 2, no. 6.... *shrugs* I dunno, maybe I've got a smaller type face on, does that effect anything? hahaha.

oh and Razz, I saw a certain "I.N.V.A.L.I.D." link in your signature.... does that mean we have got an obnouxiously clever name for our little group now?!?! hahaha

okay, I gotta going, I'll be clickin when I'm back, heh.

Alec

Well last time I posted congratulations in here I'm afraid I was a little premature, I'm afraid, but now I've seen it many times in a row, so I'm fairly confident that the google I'm searching on has us moved up to page 2 number 3! This puts us above the Bloomsbury site!

The bad news is that a certain other site has moved up to number 2 . This is okay, though, since our main goal is really to reach the first page. We can always dream about being the first on the list, so let's take this thing as high as we can go!

Also, by way of information, INVAID is a temporary name that some members have adopted. A poll is open so that everyone can choose an official name for the group. You can find the poll here.

The choices are:

1. G.O. P.E.E.V.E.S. {Google Operation Promoting and Encouraging Everyone for Veritaserum's Elevated Status}
2. I.N.V.A.I.D. {Institute for Nabbing Veritaserum the Attention it Deserves}
3. F.A.W.K.E.S. {Foundation for Awareness of Website Kick-up Effect Scheme}

Everyone make your way over there and vote for a name!

I voted for FAWKES, it seems more in tune with our goal!

I think we should aim toi overtake TLC, and at the rate we're going we should be able to acheive that! I think as the majority of members are American, us Brits and Aussies...etc. should switch to Google.com, as Veritaserum is on like the seventh page on .co.uk.....

Anyhow guys, let's keep clicking!

Ohh...and here's the clickety click link!FAWKES Link!

Also guys, i think we should find other ways of fulfilling INVAID...*runs off to brainstorm*

Nick

Actually, Nick, Matthew has asked all members to stay on the google search engine they normally use. This is a worldwide effort, so we need to be as high as possible on all of the google search engines--not just the US search engine.

Speaking of which, if you're on a search engine where VTM's position hasn't been reported recently, go ahead and let us know how we're doing! Please include where you're from, where VTM started, and where it is now. Thanks!

Well that makes things easier!

As i am on UK Google, VTM is currently lying ninth place on page four, but with some hard work from us loyal few ( ) Then up and up we go!

If anyone wants to help les Anglais out then here is the link

Bubbye,
Nick

Well i am Canadian and we are on the 3rd page in second place. So i guess we are doing all right. I have been like clicking on it 5 times in a row so... lol

Wonderful Harry_Potter_Fan! Keep up the good work, we're all glad to have determined members like you around!

Don't forget to vote in the Vtm Movement Poll, if you haven't already. Thanks for helping out mate.

I didn't know how it worked out before now, but if it's working, that's enough for me! So now I have clicked some times as well.
I'm from Norway, and here VTM is tenth on the second page... but with some effort, I do hope we'll crawl up! I'll try to remember to help when I'm able to

hmmm.... Veritaserum is still number 6 on page 2 for me. :/ I dont really know whatsup with that.

We are very sure that clicking on the VTM link on google makes us go up the list world wide, and not just for our personal computers?

Alec

Hey Alec!

I'll be willing to bet that it goes up world wide. I don't really see the reason why it would simply ascend for certain select computers. Afterall, Google is an international "World Wide Web' corporation.

I think that Google recieves the data and gathers it at some point in time daily and then updates the stats. It shouldn't go up automaitcally after we click. According to the statistics that Matthew recieves, he gets the amount of clicks have been made that day.

We've gone up a few spaces since we've started clicking, but that was the easy part. We have to remember that as we grow in the ranks, we're going to be facing much harder challenges. It may be only 100 clicks to attain one space up but the next space may have a hit rating of 300 or 400.

Jordan~ I think it's different, as when I'm on Google, i get a different listing number than when i'm on Google UK or Google Poland.....I think it's done by zone, so each country has a seperate google listing service....

Alec~ Where abouts are you in the world? Kalamazoo ???

Nick, what I meant was that Google will not update on your specific computer. I am aware that Google has different listings which is the potential reason why Matthew said to click on whichever Google engine you normally use (whether it's .com - .co.uk - .fr ... ).

Recently their was a scandal in China because GoogleChina wasn't censoring certain government aspects of their search engine. For example, if you were to search something in the .com domain, you would get varied results as opposed to if you were to search in the .cn (the Chinese domain extention)

It is done by zone. But Alec's question was if it's 'not just for our personal computers.'

Whoops sorry Jordan....I wonder then what zone he's in, because he's getting a different listing from everyone else...Perhaps he's only refreshing a page saved on his favourites from a few weeks ago, or something...It's quite hard to understand to br honest....

Nick

A quick update from the Australian end of the google world...

We have been bumped up to the last position on page 2!! That means we're off page three and we've moved up 3 places since we started clicking!!

We are really making a difference! Who'd have thought?

I checked right now, and in Norway, we're on second page, but now 8th instead of 10th! Woohoo! So one day's clicking makes us jump up 2 places in Norway! Wey, that's really good.

So: Keep on clicking, everybody

On Google Australia it's gone from the first of the third page to the last of the second page- way-to-go all of the Aussies that are working hard and clicking!

Out of curiousity, would it work if we googled it under all of the different googles? IE- google.com.au/uk/ca etc?

hooray! We are now (according to my browser) number 5 on page two!

Oh and Nick, I live in America, cant you tell! kalamazoo.

We stole the name along with the land! har har haaaarr

Alec

Alec - That's brilliant!!

YIPEEEE!!

Its really making a difference. Matthew will be elated!

click click click click click click click click click click click click

Hey! We haven't moved anything in Norway... can't see why, cause the day before yesterday (I think) I was clicking all day, and clicked at least 70 times...

Well... there's only one thing to do, then... keep clicking!

An update from the Dutch front.

For me, VTM is at page thirteen... but we are on top! (searchresult 121 to be precisely). Looking at the sites mentioned before us it shouldn't be too hard to move a page or two. So whose clicking with me... Or am I the only one from the Netherlands?

Marieke, you are not the only one. I am clicking on .nl too -- but I didn't see VTM anywhere on the first twenty pages I searched! Weird.

By the way -- have I missed your promotion, I see your name colour switched to something I've always associated with "core staff"? Puzzled ...

For us Canadians we were second page three. We are now last page three.

Way to go Canadians! Keep Clicking!

Is it going backwards? Oh no! Click faster everyone! Or did you mean that it is now last on page two? Which would be much better.

Just did another click here on Australian Google and we are now 9th (second from the bottom) on the second page which is one place higher than when Razz last said where we are. I am sure we can get higher!
Keep clicking Auzzies and the rest of the world!

I just checked how we were going in Norway, and we've moved one spot! Yey, that's good. Way to go, Norway! I'm not sure if there's others than me clicking for Norway, though...

But I'm not sure... I checked Google for some other contries, and searched for Harry Potter... but the weird thing, when the results come up there, VTM is at the same spot as in Norway! Someone knowing what's happening?

I just had a little click fest I'm from America, and VTM is on page 2, number six..... It seems weird that it's different in every country, but that probblay just my total ignorance of anything related to computer programming and how sites work.

What do we want?
Page one!
When do we want it?
Now!

Okay - VTM has slipped again. Its back to number 2 on the third page for me this morning Cait and Pix. Tahra - are you out there clicking mate?

Maybe its because I'm not deleting my cookies. How do you do that???

We need more people on board. If anyone wants to use my sig feel free. Same goes if you want to make up one of your own. The more noticable, the better!

I just checked it then Razz and it's still second bottom on the second page for me sorry mate?

Not sure what's the issue there- will try it from another computer

It just moved up a place for me ... it is now seventh place, third from the bottom, on the second page.

I click twice a day, without removing the cookies in the interim. I remove my cookies every now and then, but not every day. If you're using IE, you just choose Tools>Internet Options and press the "Delete Cookies" button.

-Razz



For me it is top of page three and that was when I 'clicked' a couple of times five or so minutes ago. What has happened? I'm really comfused.

Anyway, I'm going to keep clicking so we can get back to where we were and up futher!

Caity

That's so weird.

I checked again and clicked numerous times and its still 2nd from the top of page three. What's up with that? How can ours all be different?

Bumbles, I've got FireFox. I clicked on tools though and then options, but it doesn't say anything about cookies.

I'm going to be clicking on and off all day trying to move it again!!! grrrrr. It WILL go back up!!

I feel so out of the loop...

Funny thing is I have TSTSNBN as number 4 on the first page rather than number 2 as reported earlier...but who cares about that?!? Go VTM!!

I have us as seventh on the second page... I suppose it's better than where we were!